Countess of Wessex Inaugurates Ultramodern Cystic Fibrosis Center

Last week, the Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex, Sophie Rhys-Jones, officially inaugurated the Wolfson Cystic Fibrosis Center at Nottingham City Hospital. During the opening day, HRH made time to meet with CF patients, as well as the center’s staff and key donors.

The new 250-bed center is estimated to be worth £6.6 million, and is part-funded by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, the UK’s only national charity dedicated to all aspects of CF. The Trust funds research to treat and cure CF and aims to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with cystic fibrosis.

Patients at the center can stay in hotel-type rooms and provides space for their families. There are also glass gym pods to allow patients to exercise without the risk of cross-infection.

“We were delighted to welcome the Countess of Wessex here and were very proud to show her this remarkable facility which is literally transforming the way we are caring for CF patients here in Nottingham,” cystic fibrosis consultant Dr. Jane Dewar said. “This occasion was a wonderful opportunity to thank the people who have made our dream of having a first class facility become a reality, including patients, major charitable donors and, of course, our staff.”

Lynne O’Grady, the Trust’s Head of Clinical Programmes, said they are proud to have given considerable support to the creation of this ultramodern CF center and to have collaborated with notable stakeholders since the start of the project in 2008. “It was fantastic to have Her Royal Highness open this wonderful centre which is a benchmark as we continue to work with CF centres all over the UK to improve care for people with cystic fibrosis.”

In an earlier report on recent cystic fibrosis science news, researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Department of Health, Arkansas reported a rare case of pulmonary tuberculosis in a cystic fibrosis (CF) patient. The report, which was published in the North American Journal of Medical Sciences and is entitled “Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis” could offer new insights into diagnostic and treatment options for this rare but serious occurrence in CF patients.